The Provincial Government is looking for some imput on Albertans as they prepare for their 2017 budget.

Starting today in Edmonton, Finance Minister Joe Ceci will be visiting communites around Alberta for the rest of the month, getting feedback from the public on what they'd like to see in the NDP's second budget.

Ceci says in last years budget their goal was to support famillies and children, and make sure nobody was left behind.

"The alternative is to make deep cuts to programs and services. Something we aren't prepared to do. Our economic future depends on a healthy, educated work force, and cutting those services would only make a bad situation worse."

Public meetings will be held in a total of nine communities this month including one in Red Deer on the 17th.

Ceci says they're looking for ways cut spending without affecting key programs.

"I'll be asking them what choices we should make as a government, to control spending. These are important conversations to have, as most experts agree that the price of oil is expected to stay low for a while. With a young and still growing population, we're facing fiscal challenges for the next few years."

Ceci says there's no new major spending in the financial plan that will be tabled around March, and that the government is still forecasting a $10.8-billion deficit for the current fiscal year that ends March 31.

If you aren't able to make next Tuesday's open house, you're also encouraged to provide your input online through this link. https://www.alberta.ca/budget-consultations.aspx

More details on location and time of that open house in Red Deer will be released soon.